JUBA – A South Sudan lawmaker has proposed a five-year extension of the transitional period, arguing that the current two-year extension is insufficient to address the challenges facing the country and ensure free, fair, and democratic elections.
David De Dau, a member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) representing Twic East County of Jonglei State on the ticket of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), made the proposal in a letter to President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
De Dau in the letter dated January 2, 2024, expressed concern that rushing into elections in December 2024 could compromise the legitimacy of the transitional government and potentially reignite the deadly violence in the world’s youngest country.
“The approaching year, 2024, signifies an election year as per the R-ARCSS calendar, extended through the Road Map Agreement. The purpose of elections is to confer legitimacy upon the existing government,” he said.
“However, if these elections are marred by irregularities, organizational deficiencies, and mismanagement, the issue of legitimacy persists as a significant concern. Instead of this, I am putting forth this uncommon proposal, prioritizing the welfare of our people and the preservation of lives and property,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed that “Rather than solely adhering to the electoral timeline, this proposal advocates for a shift in focus towards the greater good. The emphasis is on averting potential irregularities that could compromise the legitimacy of the government.”
“The preservation of lives and property becomes paramount, setting the stage for a proposal that transcends political timelines in favor of the well-being and stability of the nation,” he added.
The Twic East member of parliament highlighted issues such as unresolved conflicts, a displaced population, and incomplete reforms as reasons for needing more time before the country could conduct its first-ever election.
De Dau said that South Sudan, which plunged into violence in December 2013 following power struggle between Kiir and First Vice President Machar is still grappling with insecurity and fragmented armed forces, while many citizens remain displaced due to the civil war and require rehabilitation before returning home.
Key provisions of the peace agreement, like the unification of armed forces and a population census, also remain unimplemented.
The lawmaker proposed a five-year term with a leaner government, focusing on peacebuilding, local empowerment, and development and called for a commitment to widen the democratic space and support political parties.
“I propose a five-year term with the following amendments in the structure of the government of South Sudan; creation of a lean government that would be effective in its nature of governance and service delivery to the people of South Sudan. A five-year government that would make County or local governments more attractive to the people of South Sudan,” he said.
The lawmaker said that “During the five years, the first arm of the government; the National Legislature ought to be reduced to the numbers of the formerly elected Members of Parliament,” he empathized.
“Those MPs who were elected to Parliament in 2010 should reconstitute the next Parliament as the current Transitional Parliament gracefully ends their peace mission for South Sudan and to usher in a new political era for consolidating permanent peace in the country. The new Parliament should be democratic enough to handle the affairs of the Parliament in the best interest of the public,” he continued.
He proposed that President Kiir lead the government with one vice-president who he said should be Machar who is also the leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).
“The second arm of the government, which is the executive, shall maintain His Excellency Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit to continue as the president of the Republic of South Sudan with one Deputy President who will remain in the name of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar-Teny,” he said.
“The rest of the four vice presidents shall be given high portfolios in the government with some few other effective ministers currently serving in the government,” he added.
De Dau further said that “the judiciary needs a total overhaul from the top to the last man or woman. It must also be reformed and transformed from conducting its operations in the Arabic language to conforming to the provisions of the Constitution of South Sudan that recognize the English language as a language of official communication.”
